Latest news with #Sussexes'
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle held 'peace talks' with King Charles aide for 'handouts' after dead Netflix deal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held "peace talks" with King Charles' aide because the couple are seeking "handouts', a source has claimed. Harry's chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, and UK-based PR representative Liam Maguire were photographed earlier this month with the King's top aide, Communications Secretary Tobyn Andreae, at the Royal Over-Seas League, just around the corner from Clarence House. The Duke of Sussex, 40, gave his "blessing" for the summit between aides, marking a major development in the royal family estrangement. Journalist and author Robert Jobson spoke to The Sun's latest Royal Exclusive show on Wednesday after Netflix scrapped the Sussexes' $100 million deal, saying the cancelled contract spurred the meeting to occur. 'Well, the deal was always set about $100 million, wasn't it?" he said. 'And the talk of that figure sort of blew a lot of people's minds, but I think that was for productions and things that they're supposed to have done. 'Where does it leave them? Probably with a bit of a bowl out, looking for some handouts.' Mr Jobson said he thought "maybe that's why" Harry and Meghan's aides were over in the UK having discussions with the King's representatives. He said in reality, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received support from the King and the late Queen Elizabeth II before leaving the firm in 2020. However, going their own way ultimately led to them losing their multi-million-dollar Spotify contract in 2023, and now their income with Netflix. 'They can't rely on the Spare money forever, can they?' Mr Jobson said in apparent reference to proceeds from Harry's 2023 memoir. Netflix decided not to renew the Sussexes' lucrative deal when it expires in September following a series of flops, The Sun reported on Tuesday. According to the publication, the streamer's executives quietly agreed to part ways with the renegade royals. An official announcement from Netflix and the Sussexes about the details of the partnership demise was reportedly canned. It comes after new figures released by Netflix found the Duchess's new cooking show With Love Meghan failed to break into the top 300 shows. Meanwhile, just 500,000 people watched Harry's Polo project, which one reviewer described as an "unintentionally hilarious profile of the world's stupidest sport". It's understood Netflix bosses were meanwhile irritated Meghan prioritised her As Ever brand, which she launched in February. Then the streaming giant last month signed the dotted line with King Charles and English actor Idris Elba for a documentary exploring the impact of the King's Trust, in celebration of the charity's 50th anniversary. Retaining any deal with the Sussex could have reportedly hindered the currently untitled project, set to launch on Netflix in Autumn 2026. Nevertheless, a source told The Sun rival streamer Paramount+ was open to working with the couple, who could be on board for the right project.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Not a long-term strategy': Meghan Markle's As Ever company slammed by industry experts in scathing review
The jaw-dropping extent of Meghan Markle's business woes have been laid bare after an industry expert gave a withering verdict of the ex-working royal's fledging lifestyle brand. The Duchess of Sussex has spent the last two years working on a lifestyle brand and has earmarked plans to sell a range of products include homewares, cooking utensils, make-up and even pet food. Markle originally called the venture American Riviera Orchard and soft launched a line of strawberry jams before scrapping the ARO moniker and re-launching as 'As Ever' in February. The former working royal has since sold limited runs of a variety of conserves as well as a line of wines through the As Ever website. Industry insider Phillip Millar and Californian marketing executive Camille Moore, who have advised top brands such as Dior and Mercedes-Benz, recently examined Markle's business acumen to date. 'I feel like she's doing such a brutal or good job, depending on how you're looking at it, of getting this like free PR and then absolutely s****** the bed,' Ms Moore said while speaking on The Art of the Brand podcast. Mr Millar agreed, suggesting As Ever was merely a way of 'maximising the value from her fame that came from Suits and being a part of the Royal Family'. "They're just milking that for everything they can,' he said. 'You can make short-term money from it, but it's not a long-term strategy.' The experts also took aim at Markle's boasts about 'selling out' her jams and wines on her website without disclosing how many units she produced. 'Confectionery scarcity doesn't matter,' Mr Millar said. The harsh feedback comes after Markle reportedly drew the ire of Buckingham Palace after posting a note reading "With the Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex" to promote her brand on social media. The move appeared to directly contravene the Sussexes' commitment not to use the HRH in commercial or public settings after stepping back as working royals in 2020.
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Meghan Markle ‘bitter' over Royal Family positive press
'To Di For' podcast host Kinsey Schofield slams Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as 'short-sighted' amid reports of King Charles and the Sussexes' top aides holding a secret summit. 'I think that they are so short-sighted… they're always in it for the instant gratification,' Ms Schofield told Sky News host Rita Panahi. 'I suspected that Meghan was very bitter over some positive press and that was why we saw a mini Sussex blitz.'
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry must make peace now before Prince William becomes king or risk exile
Prince Harry holds fears of a UK banishment, according to a royal expert, who thinks the Duke of Sussex would like to heal the royal family rift Prince Harry fears he will be banished from the UK once his brother William becomes King, a royal expert believes. King Charles ' youngest son wants to heal the rift with the Royal Family which began with his and wife Meghan's defection to the USA. Two of the Sussexes' key aides met Charles's communication chief recently, sparking rumours of an olive branch between the two sides. But biographer Tom Bower believes the father and son are a long way from reconciling, and it is possible they may never meet again. Tom said: 'Whether they'll meet again in Charles's lifetime depends on how long Charles lives. I couldn't say never because I'm sure Charles wants to meet his son, but so much depends on how Harry behaves.' He added: 'Harry is seriously worried that when his father dies one day, William will literally banish him and he will have no status in Britain at all. He will be persona non grata.' Tom, 78, who wrote Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, went on to describe Harry as 'his own worst enemy'. The former journalist told the Mirror the Duke of Sussex is 'desperate' to repair the relationship with his 76-year-old father. But with Charles continuing to receive treatment for cancer and the extent of the rift in the family, -reconciliation may not happen. 'Harry needs a meeting with Charles to show he is part of the Royal Family and to establish his credibility in Britain,' Tom said.'But as long as the Palace won't give him access to Charles, he can't take the first step. They suspect that the moment he meets Charles, he will use it to establish his credibility, because that's what he desperately needs, and that's also why he's kept away.' Meredith Maines, Meghan and Harry's chief of staff in California, and Liam Maguire, the head of their UK PR operation, recently met Charles's communication secretary Tobyn Andreae for drinks in London. Sources hinted the get-together was the beginning of the end of the years of tension and estrangement between the father and son. The two have not been in the same room together since Harry's flying visit to Buckingham Palace following the shock announcement of Charles's cancer in February 2024. The King has met the youngest Sussex child, four-year-old Lilibet, only once. Harry's next scheduled visit to his homeland is expected to come in September, but it could coincide with Charles and Camilla's annual holiday to Balmoral. Tom said it is very unlikely they will meet, adding: 'My money would absolutely be no. If he did meet him, it would be in private. A lot depends on Charles's health, that is the unspoken issue in Britain today. 'Because Charles will be in Scotland, the question is will Harry be invited up to Scotland? My guess is no.' The Duke has a mountain to climb after he and Meghan made personal disclosures and accusations in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Harry then released his memoir, Spare, in 2023, in which he wrote about his and William's broken relationship. Tom also cites Harry's recent interview with the BBC following his High Court defeat over state security as a 'terrible act of self harm'. The dad-of-two referred to the legal battle as an 'establishment stitch-up', and said he didn't know 'how much longer' the King might live. 'There's huge anger in Britain, not least from William, Kate and Camilla about the awful things Harry has said,' Tom said. 'The interview he gave after he lost the security case, and accused the establishment of a stitch up, showed that he's completely uncontrollable. He is unpredictable and his own worst enemy. 'But he fears that once Charles dies he will get no help from William. I wouldn't be surprised if William won't have him at his Coronation.' Any contact between Harry and Charles would need the full backing of Charles's closest and most trusted aides, Tom added, and unfortunately for the younger royal brother, he is not a priority at the moment. He said: 'Charles's health is the prime concern, and William's succession is the next thing. Harry's problems are irrelevant and they are irritated by him. Harry can't just arrive at the Palace and see his father. 'When Harry was in Britain at the time Charles's visit to France was cancelled because of the riots, there was ample time to meet and one would assume Charles's diary was empty. But Harry was told his diary was full and he couldn't see him. 'He can't even get him on the phone because they don't trust him and they're angry with him. They don't understand his motivations.' It has been said that the recent peace summit would not have happened without Prince William 's blessing, but too much has happened between the two brothers for -reconciliation to be an option. Tom, currently working on a follow-up to Revenge, also claimed that William and Kate, both 43, would probably block any further reconciliation and, given Charles's health, the pressure is mounting. While Harry has made sporadic trips to the UK since he and Meghan stepped down as working royals and relocated to California, Meghan has set foot on UK soil only once, for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. As she continues to build her As Ever lifestyle brand and prepare for a second series of Netflix show, With Love, her own relationship with The Firm is not on her agenda, Tom said. 'Meghan is tired of it all, she wants it to be over,' he added. 'She doesn't give two hoots about what happens. 'It puts a great strain on their marriage and their relationship because Harry frets and becomes very unhappy about it all. 'Meghan wants to get on, and build herself up as a television personality and have nothing more to do with Britain at all. It doesn't interest her.'
News18
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
A Royal 'Peace Summit': Prince Harry, Meghan Seek Reconciliation With King Charles
Last Updated: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aim to mend ties with King Charles III amid his health issues. A discreet London meeting sparked talk of a royal "peace summit." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly seeking to mend their fractured relationship with King Charles III as concerns grow over the monarch's health. Pagesix reported, citing sources in the know, that senior staff members representing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted in London last week holding a discreet meeting with King Charles' top communications aide, prompting speculation of a possible royal 'peace summit." The meeting, held at the private Royal Over-Seas League club, included Meredith Maines, the Sussexes' chief communications officer and Liam Maguire, their UK press lead. On the royal side was Tobyn Andreae, the King's communications secretary. Hugo Vickers, royal biographer and friend of the family, said, 'They may well have just been discussing routine things, which is more than likely. But at some point, you have got to reconcile." 'The Ball Is In Prince Harry's Court' The urgency behind Prince Harry's effort reportedly stems from King Charles' ongoing cancer battle. While palace sources say the 76-year-old monarch is receiving the best possible treatment, he is not yet cured. Hugo Vickers said that the weight of time and distance is falling heavily on Prince Harry, telling the outlet, 'Harry would be riddled with guilt if he never saw his dad again. The ball is in Harry's court. He is the one who has to apologize and beg for forgiveness- not the other way around." The last time Prince Harry saw his father was in February 2024, shortly after King Charles publicly confirmed his cancer diagnosis. The meeting lasted just 30 minutes. Hugo Vickers said, 'I don't think we'll see Harry returning to royal duties but on a personal level, it would be good if he's able to get on terms with his father." A Balmoral Invitation For Prince Harry-Meghan? Royal insiders speculate that King Charles may extend a private invitation to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children- Prince Archie, 6 and Princess Lilibet, 4- to join him at Balmoral, the King's Scottish estate, where he traditionally spends August. 'It's his house- he can do whatever he likes," Hugo Vickers said, adding, 'But there's quite a lot of ground to be made up." Despite the Sussexes' apparent outreach, relations between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, remain ice-cold. The two have reportedly not spoken in years and sources close to Prince William say he has no intention of reconciling. However, Hugo Vickers suggested that Princess Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew and a close friend of Prince Harry's, could be key to bridging the family divide. 'Eugenie seems to be the one in touch with Harry and could broker the deal- especially where the children are concerned. They are going to grow up and work out that their first cousin, Prince George, is going to be the King of England," Hugo Vickers said. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 19:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
